Copying machine

ABSTRACT

A photocopying machine having dual exposure and developing stations which are alternatively employed to copy an image from a single original. The dual stations are operated by the use of two interconnected movable mirrors which shift from one position to another to project the original image onto one exposure and developing station and then onto the other. Each of the exposure and developing stations is separately encased and adapted for ease in removal from the machine so that it may be quickly replaced in case of a malfunction.

United States Patent Inventors Paul Rosenberg Larchmont, N.Y.; Robert F. Stewart, Hartford, Conn. App]. No. 869,065 Filed Oct. 24, 1969 Patented Dec. 7, 1971 Assignee Litton Business Systems, Inc.

Orange, NJ.

COPYING MACHINE 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 355/46, 355/66 Int. Cl G031) 27/44 Field ofSearch... 355/8,40,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,807,190 9/1957 Oldenbloom 355/8 3,320,853 5/1967 Froese 355/46 3,521,951 7/1970 Koizumi... 355/66X Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner- Richard A. Wintercorn Attorneys-Norman Friedman, Stephen E. Feldman, Morris 1.

Pollack, Arthur T. Groeninger, Philip Furgang and Joseph R. Spalla ABSTRACT: A photocopying machine having dual exposure and developing stations which are alternatively employed to copy an image from a single original. The dual stations are operated by the use of two interconnected movable mirrors which shift from one position to another to project the original image onto one exposure and developing station and then onto the other. Each of the exposure and developing stations is separately encased and adapted for ease in removal from the machine so that it may be quickly replaced in case of a malfunction.

PATENTEU DEB 7197i SHEET Y 1 OF 3 mn Q awn INVENTORS PAUL. ROSENAERG ROBERT F'- orewmer ATTORNEY PATENTEU DEC 7 I97! SHEET 3 OF 3 Luv ATTORNEY COPYING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the photocopying art, especially electrostatic copying, there has been a constant need for higher speed machines which provide more copies per minute and also for machines which are quickly and easily repaired. Previous attempts have resulted in machines which provide high-speed operation but which require all the systems of the machine, including the exposing and developing unit, to also operate at these same high speeds. Operation at these speeds often resulted in underdeveloped and poor quality images since the copy paper would pass through the developing and exposing units too quickly. A system is thus needed where a plurality of exposing and developing stations are provided so that each exposing and developing station can operate at a slow speed, but by providing the plurality, a great many copies can be made in a time interval so that high-speed operation can be achieved.

Further, such a high-speed machine is needed which can be quickly repaired in case of a malfunction; and, moreover, in case of a malfunction, the machine will still partially operate while repairs are being made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A high-speed copying machine employing dual exposing and developing systems which successively develop images from a single original by means of two interconnected movable mirrors. The movable mirrors cause the image of the original to be projected on one system and then the other.

Each of the imaging and developing systems is separately encased and may be operated or removed for servicing without effecting the other system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an overall front view of the copying machine of the invention with the front cover removed.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the machine of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2.

FIG. 3 is a view of the copying machine of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The machine of the invention broadly includes the following main parts: platen l, where the original document to be reproduced is placed, the dual mirror and lens system 2, the copy paper supply, exposing and developing units 3 and 4, the main drive 5, and the copy receiving unit 6.

The platen for the original, the dual mirrors, the lenses, the main drive, and the receiving chute for the copies are all contained in the central main unit of the machine shown in the center of FIG. 1.

Each of the exposing and developing stations, 3 and 4, are shown on each side of the central unit in FIG. 1. They are detachably mounted to the central unit, as will be subsequently described, so that they may be easily removed for servicing.

The casing for the machine and the structural walls within the machine are preferably sheet steel or other strong supporting material.

The original to be reproduced is placed on a top platen l, which consists of clear glass or other transparent material. Below the platen the illuminating or light box 7 is positioned. The light box is completely enclosed except for an opening in bottom wall 14, with the platen serving as its top wall. Suitable illuminating means 8 and 10, such as quartz iodide lamps, each having its own reflector are positioned within the light box. These lamps illuminate the original on the platen so that an image of the original will be transferred to the developing units, as will be subsequently described.

Positioned below the light box chamber 12 and separated therefrom by an opaque wall 14 is a chamber which holds the mirrors and lenses for transmitting the image of the original to the copy paper. Wall 14, which forms the bottom surface of the light box, has an opening therein to allow the light image to pass from the light box chamber 12 to the mirror lens chamber.

The two mirrors positioned in this chamber, mirrors I6 and 18, are each positioned at a 45 angle with respect to the horizontal and vertical axes of the machine and are positioned perpendicular to each other forming a right angle between their mirror surfaces. These mirror surfaces 20 and 21 consist of polished metal, silvered glass, or any of the other highly reflective materials. The mirrors are supported by U-shaped metal brackets 22, which are connected to support members 24 by means of pins 28.

Suitable adjusting screws 32 are located between the supports 24 and the mirror. These screws tilt the mirror about pins 28 to readjust the angle at which the mirrors are positioned so that they properly transmit the image of the original to the copy paper.

Supports 24 are each connected by means of an L-shaped bracket 34 to guide members 36 and 38. Member 36 is a substantially rectangular member having a central cylindrical opening through which a shaft 40 passes. This shaft fits into the opening to guide the mirrors along a horizontal path as will be described hereinafter. Shaft 40 which is spaced from member 36 by a suitable bearing 42 is connected by means of supports 44 and plate 45 to the frame of the machine.

Member 38, the other mirror guide member, consists of two horizontal rollers 46 and 48 which ride above and below a central shaft 50. This shaft is positioned parallel to shaft 40. (Perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1.) Also shaft 50 in a similar manner to shaft 40 is connected to frame 45 by support 52.

By the use of rollers to support the mirrors on one side and a more positively aligned shaft and bearing to support the mirrors on the other side, the mirrors can be correctly positioned quickly in proper alignment by simply adjusting the exact orientation of the shafts 40, 50, and screws 32. This arrangement of supports also provides that the mirrors move in their own planes.

The mirrors are moved by being driven as a unit along a horizontal path guided by shafts 40 and 50. The path of travel is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1 and more clearly shown in FIG. 2. The mirrors are moved back and forth along shafts 40 and 50 so that the image of the original from platen I will be reflected from the mirror that is in the central position (the position of mirror 16 in FIG. 2). When a mirror receives the original image, as shown in FIG. I, it reflects the image onto the copy paper in a developing unit. Mirror I6 reflects the image into developing unit 3, and mirror 18 reflects the image into developing unit 4. This will be discussed in more detail subsequently.

The drive which moves the mirror along shafts 40 and 50 is as follows: Member 60 which projects from L-shaped member 34 has an extending pin 62, as more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This pin is connected to an arm 64 by coupling 66. Arm 64 is then connected to a disc 68 by coupling pin 70 which pin extends from disc 68. On the other end of disc 68 another coupling pin connects the disc to bevel gear 72 of the set of bevel gears 72 and 74; the latter being connected by means of a shaft 76 and a gear 78 to the motor drive 80. Therefore, as the motor turns gear 78, it will in turn rotate bevel gear 74 through shaft 76 which will cause bevel gear 72 to rotate and thereby rotate disc 68 in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 3. The rotation of disc 68 will move arm 64 to the left in FIG. 2. This movement will cause arm 64 which is connected by shaft 62 to the mirrors to move the mirrors to the left in FIG. 2 and then back to the position of FIG. 2. Mirror 16 which occupies the central position in FIG. 2 will be moved out of that position. Mirror 18 will be moved into the central position and then mirror I6 will be moved back into the central position and so on.

Therefore, as the motor rotates mirror 16 and then mirror 18 will alternatively occupy the central position (the position of minor 16 in FIG. 2) to reflect the image of the original to one of the respective developing units, 3 or 4.

Since mirrors l6 and 18 are always in the correct angles and correct planes for reflecting the image from the original to a developing unit, even when they are not in the central position, they will begin to reflect the image as soon as they are moved into the central position. Each mirror is thus always in its proper plane and angle to transmit (reflect) the image to the corresponding developing area. The mirrors thereby can transmit their images as they are moved into or out of their central positions, even while they are moving into or out of these positions.

The ability to transmit the image while the mirrors are in motion is extremely significant since when moving mirrors were previously used in the photocopy art, they were not in the proper position to transmit an image from the original to the copy paper until they were in their final stationary position. If they were used before or after they were in the final stationary position, they would produce a blurred image. In this invention the mirrors thus can be shifted into and out of the central position very rapidly without any need to stop them exactly in the central position during exposure of the copy paper to the image. Images can then be transmitted rapidly to the developing units to produce copies at higher speeds.

The motor 80 besides driving the mirror shifting means also drives gears 82 and 84. These in turn drive belts 86 and 88 for operating developing units 4 and 3. Since these developing units are identical, and not merely mirror images, in structure and operation, only one will be described in detail. The operation and structure of the other is identical to it.

The reason that the developing units are identical and not mirror images is because they are built to be interchangeable so that only one configuration of developing unit is needed. Their being identical also makes replacement that much easier, since a serviceman only need carry one unit for replacing either developing unit. To expedite this replacement, it will be noted that the units are only connected by arms 90 (to pins 94) to the central unit. Further, even the drive to these units is easily disconnected since pulleys 82 and 84 which transmit the drive to the belts 86 and 88 only rest against the belts and thus are uncoupled by the removal of a developing unit. A developing unit can thus be easily removed from the machine without interfering with the operation of the machine or the other developing unit. Of course, the machine speed (number of copies per minute) will be cut in half if a developing unit is removed because only one developing unit will be operating.

Now describing the operation of the developing unit in more detail. Pulley 84 which is driven through the motor, as aforementioned, contacts drive belt 88 in the developing unit. This belt rotates pulley 92 to remove paper from a roll of photocopy paper 95 which is spindled on shaft 96. As the photocopy paper is removed, it passes between pinion 92 and idler pinion 98 and subsequently between pinions 100 and 102 to be positioned on the front side of the belt 104, (belt 104 is driven by pulleys 106 and 108).

The copy paper is held on the belt by a vacuum produced by blower 114 through suitable ducting (not shown). While the copy paper is on belt 104, the original on platen l is illuminated by bulbs 8 and 10, and its image is reflected by mirror 16 or 18 (depending on which one is in the central position) through the related lens 110. These lenses are mounted by suitable brackets 111 in the same chamber as the movable mirrors.

During this imaging procedure the movement of belt 104 is stopped so that the copy paper is stationary during the imaging process.

A suitable knife mechanism is provided between pulleys 92 and 106 to cut the copy paper to the desired length before it is transferred onto belt 104.

It will be appreciated that the machine of this invention may be used with many different types of reproducing processes; however, it is preferably used with the conventional electrostatic process. The electrostatic process is so well known that it will not be described herein. Only brief mention will be made to the process and then only as applied to the present machine. When the machine is used with the electrostatic process, the copy paper is preferably a zinc oxide coated sheet. In this case, a charging unit 105 is also provided between pulleys and 106 to produce an electrostatic charge across the surface of the paper in the conventional electrostatic copying manner.

A copy of the original is then transmitted by the light source through the mirror and lens to cause a discharging of the copy paper where the light hits and the retention of charges where light no longer hits. Therefore, a latent (nonvisible) charge pattern corresponding to the original has been formed on the copy paper. The copy with this image is then passed through trough 120 in developing tank 116. As the copy sheet passes through the trough which is filled with electrostatic developer (toner) the developer will adhere to the areas of the paper which are still charged. This method of developing which is well known in the electrostatic art will cause the toner particles which are charged to attach themselves to the charged areas of the copy paper (the black areas of the original) to form a visible image corresponding to the original.

After the copy paper passes through the trough, it passes between rollers 124 and 126 which squeeze the excess developing liquid from the paper. Then the copy paper passes over belt 128, under blower 114 and under a suitable heating unit (not shown) so that the toner will be affixed to the paper and the remainder of the developing liquid removed from the paper. The developed sheet of copy paper is then discharged through ramp 132 to receiving container 6.

It is noted that this container is positioned below the lens and mirror compartment and in the central part of the machine so that it will receive the developed copy paper from both developing units 3 and 4. A suitable hand opening 134 is provided in container 6 so that the copies can be easily removed therefrom.

A suitable stand 136 is provided to support the machine.

The operation will now be described in greater detail. An original is placed on platen l, and the machine is turned on. The mechanism which moves the mirrors controls which developing unit is operated. Operation in this context means rotation of a paper roll to feed a length of paper and actuation of a knife to cut the length of paper from the roll. It is noted that the pulleys and belts of both developing units are always moving when the machine is turned on regardless of which developing unit is in operation in the above-mentioned context. When a developing unit is in operation, a length of copy paper is unrolled from roll 94 and a knife is actuated to sever it from the roll. Suitable mechanism (not shown) is provided which coordinates the operation of the feed of copy paper and the knife actuation with the shaft of the mirrors. After the copy paper is severed, it is then charged by unit and transported onto belt 104. Belt 104 is then stopped while the copy paper receives an image of the original by means of the lamps and the mirror and lens system as aforementioned. Belt 104 is then restarted to transport the copy paper to the developing tank 116.

It is noted that the lamps are turned off before the copy paper is moved out of the exposure station to prevent spoiling the image which has been transferred thereto. The copy paper then passes through developing tank 116 where the image is developed also as aforementioned.

While the sheet is passing through the developing tank, the drive switches the mirrors and also beings operation of the other developing unit.

As this mirror 18 is moving into the central position, the developing unit will begin operation. This developing unit will function in the same manner as just described. As a copy is being developed in the developing tank the mirror will once again switch so that the other mirror is in the central imaging position. The mirrors then will shift back and forth until the desired number of copies are made.

Twice the amount of copies can be made by the use of this novel mirror unit and developing means, since two copies are made in the time it would normally take to make one. While one copy is being developed, the next copy is being imaged.

It will also be appreciated that by the novel mirror construction, the mirrors can be moved very rapidly since they begin imaging as they are being moved into the central position. They do not have to be stationary during imaging.

Another significant advantage of applicants construction is that if a malfunction occurs in either developing unit, that unit can be removed without totally stopping the machine since the other developing unit will still continue to operate. Thus there is no need for the machine to be completely stopped because of the malfunction in one developing unit.

A specific embodiment of our invention has been described, but the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made by one skilled in the art, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

It is noted that the use of quartz iodide or other incandescent lamps is disclosed. However alternatively for higher speed operation, lamps 8 and 10 can be strobe or other flash lamps. When strobe flash lamps are used, the flash is timed to the passing of the copy paper through the exposure station so that the copy paper is properly imaged. When flash lamps are used there is no need to stop the motion of belts 104 as previously mentioned with regard to operation with incandescent lamps.

It will be appreciated that with the present mechanism two different colors of developer and two different types or colors of paper could be used in the same machine. One color of toner and one type of color paper would be placed in one developing unit and another color of toner or type of paper would be placed in the other developing unit. If two colors of paper are used, this will result in the copies being stacked in the developing unit in alternating color sequence.

Further, if desired, the mechanism that shifts the mirrors can be made programmable so that the mirrors are aligned with one developing unit for a plurality of cycles of operation and then shifted to the other developing unit for a single or a plurality of cycles of operation. It can then be shifted back to alignment with the first mentioned developing unit for another plurality of cycles of operation and this sequence repeated. For example, by this operation the mechanism can be programmed to produce five copies from one side and then two copies from the other side and then five from the first side and so on. In operating in this manner since the copies drop into the copy receiving unit 6 in the order they are produced, they can be arranged in any desired collated order by the choice of a particular sequencing of operation of the developing units.

For example, if an interleaved form is to be produced having two sheets of one color for every sheet of another color, one color paper can be placed in one developing unit and another color can be placed in the other developing unit and then the machine programmed so that two copies are made on the first developing unit and then one of the other developing units. This will result in a stack of copies in the copy receiving unit which are arranged so that there are two copies of one color for every copy of the other color.

What we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Copying apparatus comprising a central unit including means for holding a document to be copied,

a first and a second unit removably mounted on either side of said central unit, each of said first and second units including copy paper transport, charging, exposure and developer stations for making a visual copy of a document,

projecting means within said central unit adapted to project a full frame image of a document onto either exposure station of said first and second units so that a copy of the document can be made in a unit,

said projecting means including a pair of flat mirrors, one associated with each of said first and second units, disposed in planes perpendicular to one another and 45 with respect to the plane of said document holding means and said exposure stations,

lenses in said central unit associated with each of said mirrors,

and means mounting said mirrors for movement as a unit in their own planes so that each in turn can be moved to a central location where a full frame image of a document is reflected through associated lenses onto the exposure station of the associated one of said first and second units.

2. Copying apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said central unit includes drive means and mechanism driven thereby for moving said mirror mounting means to-and-fro to position said mirrors alternately at said central location.

3. Copying apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said drive means is detachably coupled to copy paper transport means within each of said first and second units, and said mechanism controls the movement of copy paper therein.

4. The photocopy machine of claim 1 wherein said central unit includes incandescent illuminating means.

5. The photocopy machine of claim 1 wherein said central unit includes strobe flash illuminating means. 

1. Copying apparatus comprising a central unit including means for holding a document to be copied, a first and a second unit removably mounted on either side of said central unit, each of said first and second units including copy paper transport, charging, exposure and developer stations for making a visual copy of a document, projecting means within said central unit adapted to project a full frame image of a document onto either exposure station of said first and second units so that a copy of the document can be made in a unit, said projecting means including a pair of flat mirrors, one associated with each of said first and second units, disposed in planes perpendicular to one another and 45* with respect to the plane of said document holding means and said exposure stations, lenses in said central unit associated with each of said mirrors, and means mounting said mirrors for movement as a unit in their own planes so that each in turn can be moved to a central location where a full frame image of a document is reflected through associated lenses onto the exposure station of the associated one of said first and second units.
 2. Copying apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said central unit includes drive means and mechanism driven thereby for moving said mirror mounting means to-and-fro to position said mirrors alternately at said central location.
 3. Copying apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said drive means is detachably coupled to copy paper transport means within each of said first and second units, and said mechanism controls the movement of copy paper therein.
 4. The photocopy machine of claim 1 wherein said central unit includes incandescent illuminating means.
 5. The photocopy machine of claim 1 wherein said central unit includes strobe flash illuminating means. 